Thread: An introduction from Alberta

First off, welcome to the board. As an Albertan I felt the urge to say “hi.” Do you mind my asking where in N. Alberta you are? I have run equipment in a number of the towns and spent a few years in McMurray. If that is where you are then I know how much your services are needed (actually, almost any place up there has quite a few challenges facing the community and youth in particular- it is just the drugs in that town and the number of lonely displaced people seems to breed misery.)

Come to think of it, I enjoy a puff or two on a pipe every now and then as well. Cavendish and Moores in Calgary used to have a few ministers and priests who would sit in their comfortable chairs and light up.

Anyhow, on to shaving, after all, I assume that is the reason you are here. If you are maintaining some facial hair then I would recommend something with a spike point. It is a little more tricky to get the hang of and you may need your styptic pencil a few times with the vicious end, but it will allow you to leave the hair you want left and take the hair you want gone.(yes, any razor will allow that- but if leaving hair I prefer a more obvious edge. Now, if you look on the classifieds section right now you will find a seller wanting to get rid of a double duck satinedge. A dd is perhaps a little over hyped (just do a quick search on this site), but it is sought after and for good reason. It is listed as shave ready and I have no reason to think that it would not be a razor that you would keep in rotation through your old age- the price is good and he will ship internationally. If that does not suit you then there will be other good razors (many of the ones listed for half as much as the DD will shave every bit as well as the DD but will have plain black scales. If you don't mind black then I would encourage you to save a little $$$)

I will agree with the general advice so far that the classifieds are a good place to start and while most members are not in Canada shipping is still very reasonable when shipped USPS. If you buy new you are likely to need it honed anyhow.

That will take care of the razor, but you will still be short a little equipment. If you do a search for “the well shaved gentleman” or Tony Miller you will find that he produces a good quality strop for a very reasonable price (his apprentice model is around $30.) You can go up from there depending on your budget.

Finally with regards to the brush... yes, an expensive brush would be nice. Any brush will do, but I am getting the feeling that you are not looking to buy the drugstore brush only to have to upgrade later. In many ways you get what you pay for and a larger knot and a denser brush and a better quality badger are going to cost you. Having said that, a pretty good brush that will satisfy you until you yearn for the buffalo horn handled silver tip badger will likely run around $30 and can be had at menessentials.com in addition to any of the places that advertise on banners here. I only mention that place because they are in Canada (Ontario I believe.) Now for the disclaimer... I have never ordered from them and do not know how their service or products are. I do not know if you are wanting to avoid the U.S retailers because of past problems but I have not had any problems. Just make sure that it is not shipped UPS and you should be fine- all of them I am certain have shipped to Canada and know what they are doing. I hate UPS because of the fees (you know, the $50 brokerage fee, the $20 customs fee and the $30 because we can charge whatever we want- we have your parcel fee.)

Just one final thought before I wrap up the novel- buy a good size mug or small bowl if you are going to use cream. I thought for quiet awhile that I was doing well with a smaller mug that I loved but it was not giving the brush enough room to whip up a good lather. I actually have switched to a small pyrex glass bowl that I leave in a larger bowl of hot water while I shave... volia- instant scuttle (and if I get desperate for a clean mixing bowl and clean serving bowl I need look no further than my washroom.)

Well, good luck finding the equipment you need.